FORMULATION AND QBD BASED OPTIMIZATION OF METHOTREXATE-LOADED SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES FOR AN EFFECTIVE ANTI-CANCER TREATMENT

Objective: In the current study, the Quality by Design method was utilized for the formulation of solid lipid nanoparticles of Methotrexate (MTX SLNs). Methods: MTX SLNs formulated by melt emulsification method were studied for the effect of independent variables viz. concentration of lipid and surfactants on quality attributes viz. particle size, polydispersity index, and entrapment efficiency of SLNs using 32 factorial design. Results: The optimal formulation was spherical, had a particle size of 147.6±4.1 nm (z-average), a polydispersity index of 0.296±0.058, a zeta potential of −19±0.98 mV, encapsulation efficiency of 98.7±1.55%, and a cumulative drug release of 95.59±0.918% in 5 h. Conclusion: The in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that SLNs provide a promising oral delivery system to improve the bioavailability of MTX.